F-1
Contents
Description
The Mitsubishi F-1 is a rank VI Japanese jet fighter with a battle rating of 10.3 (AB/SB) and 10.0 (RB). It was introduced in Update "New Power".
General info
Flight performance
The sleekness of the aircraft lends itself to flying fast and speed should be maintained when flying, especially during air-to-air combat as a slow-flying F-1 is a relatively easy target due to poor manoeuvrability at slow speeds. To help in instances where the aircraft must fly at slower speeds (landing, bombing and ground rocket attack), slats and spoilers help create a higher lift capacity and roll rate, preventing the aircraft from stalling and plummeting.
Air-to-air combat should be avoided when carrying bomb loads, as this will significantly decrease manoeuvrability. During a ground attack, all efforts should be made to get to the target as soon as possible and release the heavy ordnance and then proceed to any aerial combat in the near vicinity.
Damage to the aircraft, especially to the wings, will typically result in the destruction of the aircraft. Due to their relatively small size, any loss in surface area will cause the fighter to over-lift on the good side, sending the aircraft into a roll and then potentially into a flat spin.
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 10,975 m) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | 1,679 | 1,664 | 15200 | 33.6 | 35.0 | 117.5 | 107.5 | 900 |
| Upgraded | ___ | ___ | __._ | __._ | __._ | __._ | ||
Details
| Features | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear | Drogue chute |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 0 | 485 | 735 | 525 | 450 | ~10 | ~4 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 650 | < 580 | < 650 | N/A |
Engine performance
| Engine | Aircraft mass | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine name | Number | Basic mass | Wing loading (full fuel) | ||||
| Ishikawa-Harima TF40-801A | 2 | 6,654 kg | 455 kg/m2 | ||||
| Engine characteristics | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) | Max Takeoff Weight | |||||
| Weight (each) | Type | 12m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 41m fuel | ||
| 810 kg | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan | 7,549 kg | 8,100 kg | 8,822 kg | 9,636 kg | 13,500 kg | |
| Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP) | ||||||
| Condition | 100% | WEP | 12m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 41m fuel | MTOW |
| Stationary | 1,950 kgf | 3,105 kgf | 0.82 | 0.77 | 0.70 | 0.64 | 0.46 |
| Optimal | 2,010 kgf (200 - 400 km/h) |
3,437 kgf (1,000 km/h) |
0.91 | 0.85 | 0.78 | 0.71 | 0.51 |
Survivability and armour
- 38 mm bulletproof glass - situated between the fore and aft cockpits
The F-1 fighter, like many of the newer aircraft, have shed most of its armour instead of more speed and agility. The only armour outfitted on this aircraft is the 38 mm bulletproof glass situated between the fore and aft cockpit, giving the rear pilot a pretty good chance of surviving an impact or bullet strike which might take out the front pilot. Beyond that, the aircraft's survivability is a mix of engineering and the pilot's skill. Damage sustained to the wings will not affect fuel loss as no tanks are mounted here; they are only mounted within the aircraft's fuselage. While many aircraft can absorb a huge amount of ammunition rounds in the fuselage before losing something important when it comes to the F-1 fuselage hits typically result in a hit to the engines, oil coolers, fuel, pilots or the radar. This is where pilot skill and manoeuvring come into play to make it very difficult for an enemy pilot to get a firing solution. High-G manoeuvres within this aircraft may hurt the speed and manoeuvrability; however, it may save the pilot's lives by causing many missiles such as the AIM Sidewinders to miss due to their lower g-turn threshold.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Armaments
| Ballistic Computer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CCIP (Guns) | CCIP (Rockets) | CCIP (Bombs) | CCRP (Bombs) |
 |
|
|
|
Offensive armament
The F-1 is armed with:
- 1 x 20 mm JM61A1 cannon, chin-mounted (750 rpg)
The JM61A1 20 mm Vulcan cannon is a monster and at the same time a headache for new pilots not used to it. Unlike most other machine guns and cannons in the game (or in real life for that matter), trigger depression here does not immediately produce flying bullets. Due to the characteristics of the JM61A1 cannon, it requires an initial spool-up time or spin of the cannon barrels before ammunition can be fired. The high rate of fire can easily melt the barrel, however with the rotating barrels, each barrel can cool off enough before it is its turn again to prevent damage. To initiate this, trigger depression will result in a .25 second delay before the ammunition begins to fire to allow the barrels to get to proper rotating speed. Once it gets going, 750 rounds of ammunition do not last very long.
When targeting an aircraft, for example, the pilot must remember this formula to be successful while leading an aircraft or before an aircraft passes through the crosshairs, start squeezing the trigger about .5 to .25 seconds before that event, and the cannon rounds should land on target. Waiting until a target passes through the crosshairs (unless tailing them) will result in a miss as they will be out of the sights before the cannon starts firing.
Trigger discipline is necessary when using this cannon as due to its rate of fire (about 6,000 RPM, ~100 RPS or 7.5 seconds of ammunition) will easily blow through the 750 rounds carried by the F-1.
Suspended armament
The F-1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- Without load
- 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
- 4 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,000 lb total)
- 7 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,500 lb total)
- 5 x 750 lb JM117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
- 16 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
- 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
- 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 7 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,500 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 750 lb JM117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 7 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,500 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 750 lb JM117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 16 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
- 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 3 x 750 lb JM117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
- 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 16 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
- 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 3 x 750 lb JM117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
- 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Radars
The Mitsubishi F-1 is equipped with an AN/APS-21 search radar, as well as an AN/APG-26 target tracking radar. Both radars are located in the nose of the aircraft.| AN/APS-21 - Target Detection Radar | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Detection Range |
Guaranteed Detection Range |
Max Azimuth Scan Angle |
Max Elevation Scan Angle |
| 45,000 m | 28,000 m | ±85° | ±16° |
| AN/APG-26 - Target Tracking Radar | |||
| Maximum Tracking Range |
Minimum Tracking Range |
Azimuth Tracking Angle |
Elevation Tracking Angle |
| 4,000 m | 150 m | ±60° | ±60° |
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Has a radar and radar gun sight, allowing you to better plan your "boom"s and get your rounds on target more reliably
- Devastating armament
- Manoeuvrable enough to get onto the target with relative ease.
- Has a tail hook for landing on carriers
- Has a braking chute, making landings on short airstrips or carriers possible
- Strong ordnance options
- Can equip 4 AIM-9E/AIM-9P missiles
Cons:
- Burns through fuel at an astronomical rate in arcade battles
- JM61A1 electric-powered cannon takes getting used to because of 0.25 second spool time to get the barrel spinning before firing commences
- Poor energy retention
- Extremely poor low-speed manoeuvrability and the low speed of the plane mean lower than 500 kph
- Requires good trigger discipline and aim as the gun burns through ammunition
- Cannon tends to "spark"
- Larger turning radius compared to most other jet fighters it can face
- Cannon belts have no tracer shells, making it harder to aim
- Targeting radar is often unreliable
History
The Mitsubishi F-1 was an indigenously-produced Japanese supersonic fighter aircraft that served with the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF). Based on the earlier Mitsubishi T-2, the aircraft first flew in 1975 and entered service a short time later.[1] A total of 160 aircraft were initially ordered, but the order was reduced to 77 airframes due to budget constraints.[1] In service, the aircraft served as an anti-shipping platform and was intended to fire the Mitsubishi ASM-1 anti-ship missile at enemy naval vessels.[2]
By the time it entered service, the F-1 had already grown obsolete due to it being relatively underpowered and unsuitable for air combat manoeuvring. Despite this, F-1s of the JASDF served until 2006, being replaced by modernized variants of the F-4EJ and the Mitsubishi F-2.[1][2]
Design and development
The Mitsubishi F-1 was developed from the T-2, a jet trainer and the first Japanese-designed and manufactured aircraft to break the sound barrier.[1][2] The F-1 was almost identical to its trainer counterpart; the main visual difference was that the F-1's rear cockpit was faired over to make room for an avionics bay. The aircraft featured a J/AWG-12 radar, an upgrade over the T-2's J/AWG-11 and similar to the Phantom FGR.2's AN/AWG-12 radar. The aircraft also gained a centreline hardpoint for an external drop tank, allowing the aircraft to use all of its wing hardpoints to carry munitions.[1][2]
Due to the design requirement specifications, the F-1 was otherwise highly similar to the T-2, retaining its engines, airframe and armament. It was so similar that the first pair of F-1s were developed from T-2 airframes taken off the assembly line.[1] The first prototype F-1 flew on June 3rd 1975, while the first production aircraft flew in mid-1977.[1] The aircraft was accepted for production and service with the JASDF.[1][2]
Operational history
The first order for twelve F-1 aircraft was approved in the 1975 fiscal year, and the first aircraft deliveries began in 1978. The F-1 entered full operational service and was initially used by the 3rd Squadron of the 3rd air wing at Misawa Air Base.[2] The aircraft eventually equipped a total of three squadrons, being the 3rd and 8th Squadrons at Misawa and the 6th Squadron at Tsuiki Air Force base. Deliveries of the F-1 were completed in 1987, with only 77 aircraft being delivered; this was due to the budget constraints of the JASDF.
In service, the F-1 was intended to be used as a low-altitude anti-ship attack aircraft, utilizing the Mitsubishi ASM-1 air-to-ship missile.[2] A reconnaissance variant of the F-1 was also planned but was cancelled in favour of the RF-4EJ Phantom.[1] Due to the design of its airframe and lack of engine power, the F-1 was rather unsuited for the air-to-air role and soon became obsolete. Despite this, the JASDF program to deliver a replacement stalled,[2] and the F-1 soldiered on until the early 2000s. During this time, the F-1s were given a service life extension (SLEP) upgrade, which increased their service life from 3,500 to 4,000 hours.[1] In the early 2000s, the F-1s were gradually retired, replaced by the F-4EJ and F-15J in the conversion training role and by the T-4 in the standard training role.[1] In its combat role, aircraft was replaced by the Mitsubishi F-2, a derivative of the American F-16 Fighting Falcon.[2] The last F-1s served on until 2006; it never saw combat nor fired shots in anger.[1]
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
External links
References
Works Cited
- Goebel, G. (2019, January 1). The Mitsubishi T-2 / F-1. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from http://www.airvectors.net/avt2_f1.html
- Hillebrand, N. (2002). Mitsubishi F-1. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.milavia.net/aircraft/f-1/f-1.htm
| Japan jet aircraft | |
|---|---|
| IJNAS | |
| Experimental | Kikka |
| Reconnaissance | R2Y2 Kai V1 · R2Y2 Kai V2 · R2Y2 Kai V3 |
| IJAAS | |
| Fighters | Ki-200 |
| JASDF | |
| Fighters | F-86F-30 ▅ · F-86F-40 ▅ · F-86F-40 JASDF▅ |
| F-104J | |
| F-4EJ Phantom II · F-4EJ ADTW · F-4EJ Kai Phantom II | |
| F-15J · F-15J(M) | |
| F-16AJ | |
| F-1 | |
| Trainers | T-2 Early · T-2 |
| Foreign | |
| Thailand | ▄AV-8S · ▄F-5E FCU |
